SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 37
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  Fred S. Akers
 
         WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
  commemorates the life of Fred S. Akers, who died
  December 7, 2020, at the age of 82; and
         WHEREAS, Fred Akers was born on March 17, 1938, in
  Blytheville, Arkansas; he attended the University of Arkansas,
  where he played football, and he began a distinguished career in
  coaching by serving as a Texas high school football coach in Port
  Arthur, Edinburg, and Lubbock; and
         WHEREAS, He joined Darrell Royal's staff at The University
  of Texas in 1966 and served as an assistant coach and as a
  co-offensive coordinator before becoming the head coach at the
  University of Wyoming, where he led the Cowboys to a berth in the
  1976 Fiesta Bowl; and
         WHEREAS, He returned to Austin in 1977 to fill the position
  of head coach at The University of Texas after the retirement of
  Darrell Royal; his first Longhorn team, featuring Earl Campbell,
  went undefeated in the regular season and won the Southwest
  Conference championship; over the next decade, his teams went on
  to finish four seasons in the nation's top ten and to receive bowl
  invitations in nine consecutive seasons; and
         WHEREAS, After his tenure at The University of Texas, he
  took on the challenge of a struggling program at Purdue
  University, where he coached for four years before retiring from
  coaching and becoming a motivational speaker; he received
  multiple awards and honors over the course of his life, including
  induction into the Texas Athletics Hall of Honor, the Texas
  Sports Hall of Fame, and the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame; and
         WHEREAS, He and his beloved wife of 59 years, Diane Akers,
  were blessed with three children, Lesli Akers, Stacey Delmonico,
  and the late Danny Akers; his six grandchildren and three
  great-grandchildren were a source of much pride and joy for him;
  and
         WHEREAS, Fred Akers was a man of deep Christian faith and
  was known for his integrity, kindness, and generous spirit; he
  was a source of strength to others, and he was beloved and
  respected by all who were privileged to share in his life; and
         WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather,
  and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by his
  family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
  Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
  family of Fred S. Akers; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
  Senate and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
  memory of Fred Akers.
 
  Eckhardt
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on February 9, 2021, by
    a rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate